Penny's beauty is usually considered her standout quality but in the case of her portrayer, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, being beautiful is just one of many star-worthy qualities. Check out eight things you might not have known about Cuoco-Sweeting that set her apart from the crowd.

1. She is an animal-lover and activist and has rescued several dogs.

2. Her last name, Cuoco, translates to "cook" in Italian.

3. Before becoming a full-time actress, she was a nationally-ranked amatuer tennis player.

4. She is a vegetarian.

5. Cuoco-Sweeting played John Ritter's TV daughter on8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. John Ritter's real-life son, Tyler, is also now starring in a CBS comedy, The McCarthys.

6. She was home-schooled and earned her high school diploma at age 16.

7. The first time her name was credited as Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting was in Season 7, Episode 14 ofThe Big Bang Theory, called "The Convention Conundrum."

8. She hosted the People's Choice Awards in 2012 and 2013, before earning an award for Favorite TV Comedy actress in 2014.